Portable indicating and protective structure for underground utilities

Abstract

A portable indicating and protective structure for underground utilities is provided. The portable structure is designed to be erected about a utility located at ground level on a construction site, to permit construction workers to avoid inadvertent damage to such a utility. Such damage occurs when the utility is impacted by construction machinery, delivery trucks, and other vehicles on the construction site. The portable structure is a protective barrier which would enclose or encircle the utility. The sidewall elements may be secured in place by stakes or the like. The sidewall may be cylindrical, rectangular, or some other geometric configuration. The top portion and the lower portion would be open to permit access to the utility. Two poles will be affixed proximal the sidewall and will extend vertically several times the height of the sidewall. These pole elements may secure the sidewall in place by passing vertically through a plurality of ring elements which are connected to the sidewall. A brightly colored banner will be located intermediate the two poles, a first side of the banner being connected to the first pole, a second side of the banner being connected to the second pole. The banner may include identifying indicia, indicating the nature of the utility located there below. Such a structure would clearly indicate the location of the utility and deter accidental damage to the utility.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A portable indicating and protective structure for underground utilities including: 
       a sidewall, said sidewall having an upper opening and a lower opening, an exterior side and an interior side,  
       a first pair of ring elements provided in vertical relation on said sidewall,  
       a second pair of ring elements provided in vertical relation on said sidewall,  
       said first pair of ring elements and said second pair of ring elements located directly opposite of each other on said sidewall,  
       a first pole, said first pole having a first pole upper portion and said first pole having a first pole lower portion,  
       a banner, said banner having a right side, a left side, a front side and a rear side, said banner right side secured to said first pole upper portion and said banner left side secured to said second pole upper portion,  
       a second pole, said second pole having a second pole upper portion and said second pole having a second pole lower portion,  
       said first pole received in said first pair of ring elements, said first pair of ring elements not being securable along the length of said first pole,  
       said second pole received in said second pair of ring elements, said second pair of ring elements not being securable along the length of said second pole, whereby said sidewall is placed about an item to be protected, and said first pole lower portion and said second pole lower portion are placed into the ground, securing said sidewall about the item to be protected.  
     
     
       2. A portable indicating and protective structure for underground utilities as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said banner front side and said banner rear side include indicia. 
     
     
       3. A portable indicating and protective structure for underground utilities as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said banner front side and said banner rear side include reflective elements. 
     
     
       4. A portable indicating and protective structure for underground utilities as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sidewall exterior side includes reflective elements. 
     
     
       5. A portable indicating and protective structure for underground utilities as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sidewall is corrugated. 
     
     
       6. A portable indicating and protective structure for underground utilities as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sidewall is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of plastics, woods, and metals. 
     
     
       7. A portable indicating and protective structure for underground utilities as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said sidewall is cylindrical. 
     
     
       8. A portable indicating and protective structure for underground utilities as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first pair of ring elements and said second pair of ring elements are provided on said exterior side of said sidewall. 
     
     
       9. A portable indicating and protective structure for underground utilities as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first pair of ring elements and said second pair of ring elements are provided on said interior side of said sidewall. 
     
     
       10. A portable indicating and protective structure for underground utilities as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first pole lower portion and said second pole lower portion include a spike for penetrating the ground.